PRESIDENTS
PRESIDENT JOHN ADAMS IN THE WAKE OF THE “X,Y,Z AFFAIR” ADDRESSES THE CITIZENS OF HAMILTON, MASSACHUSETTS: “DURING MY ADMINISTRATION; THE ZEAL TO CONVINCE THE WORLD, THAT WE ARE NOT A DIVIDED PEOPLE; THEIR OFFER OF THEIR PROPERTY AND LIVES, TO SUPPORT THE HARD-EARNED LIBERTY OF THEIR COUNTRY; AND THEIR CONFIDENCE UNDER HEAVEN, THAT WE SHALL BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND THE MOST POWERFUL EFFORTS, AND MACHINATIONS OF FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC ENEMIES”
ADAMS, JOHN. (1735-1826). Second President of the United States, Signer of Declaration of Independence. Exceedingly choice Manuscript Letter boldly Signed, “John Adams”, as President, just days after making the details of the ‘X,Y,Z Affair’ known to Congress. One full page, small quarto. Philadelphia, May 19, 1798. To: ‘The Inhabitants of: The Town of Hamilton in the State of Massachusetts”.
PRESIDENT THOMAS JEFFERSON AT WAR! — WITH THE BARBARY PIRATES — DURING A LULL IN THE TRIPOLITAN WAR, HE ASSURES MARYLAND CONGRESSMAN NICHOLSON THAT HE EXPECTS NO EXPANSION OF HOSTILITIES, AND IS THEREFORE REDUCING AMERICA’S NAVAL FORCE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN — “CERTAINLY NEITHER ECONOMY NOR PRUDENCE PERMITS TO KEEP IN ACTUAL SERVICE ALL THE FORCE WHICH MIGHT BE NECESSARY IN THE WORST STATE OF THINGS; FOR THEN WE OUGHT TO KEEP A LARGE STANDING ARMY…”
JEFFERSON, THOMAS. (1743-1826). 3rd President of the United States; and principal author of the Declaration of Independence. Important Autograph Letter Signed, as President, to Joseph H. Nicholson, noted politician and statesman from Maryland. Washington, D.C. February 23, 1803. One very full page, quarto.
JOHN ADAMS — WRITES GENERAL BENJAMIN LINCOLN — SEEKING AN APPOINTMENT FOR CAPTAIN LEMUEL CLARK WHO LEAD THE FIRST MARINES STATIONED ON BOARD THE “USS CONSTITUTION”
ADAMS, JOHN. (1735-1826). Second President of the United States (1797-1801), Vice President under George Washington; Signer of the Declaration of Independence; U.S. Minister to Holland, France, and England. Autograph Letter Signed, “John Adams”. One full page, quarto. “Quincy”, October 25, 1802. Fine condition. To “General [Benjamin] Lincoln”.
VERY RARE ZACHARY TAYLOR MILITARY AUTOGRAPH ORDER — SIGNED WHILE OCCUPING MEXICAN TERRITORY DURING THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR IN 1846
TAYLOR, ZACHARY. (1784-1850). Twelfth President of the United States (1849-50). Autograph Note Signed, “Z. Taylor, Genl., U.S.A Comdg.” One page, oblong octavo. “Matamoros, Mexico”, July 27, 1846.
LINCOLN SIGNED DOCUMENT AS PRESIDENT — A WARRANT TO “AFFIX THE SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES TO A PARDON”
LINCOLN, ABRAHAM. (1809-1865) 16th President of the United States. Partially-printed Document Boldly Signed, “Abraham Lincoln”, as President. One page, quarto. Washington, January 13, 1863. The document reads: “I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of State to affix the Seal of the United States to a Warrant for the Pardon of Henry Buschrae, dated this day, and signed by me and for so doing this shall be his warrant. Abraham Lincoln.”
ANDREW JACKSON ORDERS THAT PROVISIONS BE PROVIDED FOR “NEGRO BOB” – A FINE PRESIDENTIAL / BLACK-AMERICANA ITEM FROM 1813
JACKSON, ANDREW. (1767-1845). Seventh President of the United States (1829-37). Interesting, and historically important, Manuscript Document Signed, “Andrew Jackson, Major Genl”. One page, oblong narrow octavo. No place, March 31, 1813.
GEORGE WASHINGTON — AFTER DEFEATING THE BRITISH AT THE BATTLE OF PRINCETON, WORRIES ABOUT THE LOSS OF SUPPLIES AND THE LANDING OF THE ENEMY: “IT IMPORTS US HIGHLY TO COLLECT A RESPECTABLE FORCE… FOR US TO SECURE…THE OBJECTS OF THE ENEMY’S ATTENTION”
WASHINGTON, GEORGE. (1732-1799). First President of the United States (1789-1797). Important War-date Manuscript Letter Signed, “G. Washington”, as Commander of the Continental forces. Two pages, folio. Morristown, New Jersey, May 7, 1777. To General Parsons.